Paving safe paths for ATVs.

• Author: Hanseen, James
• Position: TRENDS & TRANSITIONS - All-terrain vehicles

Americans' love of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) shows no signs of waning. An estimated 11 million ATVs were on the ground in 2010, and 225,244 more were sold in 2012, according to Power Sports Business.

With increased numbers comes the threat of more accidents, but thanks to legislation, public education and industry safety improvements, ATV-related accidents and fatalities have declined significantly since 2007.

Still, 2011 still saw 327 ATV-related fatalities and 107,500 emergency department-treated injuries--27 percent sustained by children under 16, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Legislatures continue to refine their laws to increase safety and opportunities for ATV use.

Road Use

Most states prohibit ATV operators from using state highways (except to cross them), although 11 states make exceptions for farmers and certain work-related purposes.

Eight states allow ATVs on paved roads if the ATV is street legal that is, meets all the safety requirements a car does for use on the road. Delaware is the only state that prohibits ATVs on all paved roads, including crossings. Only Idaho and South Dakota allow ATVs on state highways.

Last year, Indiana, Missouri, and Washington joined four states that authorize municipalities or state transportation departments to determine whether ATVs are allowed on highways.

Arkansas, which already allowed ATVs to cross highways for hunting and farming, enacted a law last year that permits emergency and utility personnel to operate an ATV on highways.

Speed

Several states have introduced legislation to keep less powerful ATVs off paved roads. North Dakota recently passed a bill that bans ATVs that can't go at least 30 mph from paved roads. A new Washington law limits ATVs to roads with speed limits under 35 mph.

Enforcement

New Jersey considered a bill last year that would increase the current $100-$200 fine to $500 for unauthorized ATV use on a highway. A new Maryland law imposes mandatory license suspension for minors who operate an unregistered ATV on a highway.

Public Land

ATV use on public land continues to be intensely debated, with preservationists arguing ATVs damage ecosystems and recreationists maintaining their right to enjoy the outdoors. States are taking several approaches to balance the two demands.

States can designate public land that's not under U.S. jurisdiction for ATV use. Currently, it appears every state but Connecticut has public lands open to ATV operation...